Meal Options During Baldwin Renovation

Know Your Plan.

For those on an unlimited meal plan (standard, purple, or gold), Upper Baldwin will serve as the primary location for all-you-care-to-eat, unlimited access dining, similar to what is currently experienced in Lower Baldwin. Hours of operation will remain the same as currently exist in Lower Baldwin.

Other options being offered to students on the board plan during the renovation of Lower Baldwin are meal exchange bundles* at the Eat Shop Café and a new Mexican-themed quick-serve food experience located in the Mary Sykes Room (second floor, Baldwin Hall). This includes:

Eat Shop Café: During lunch and dinner, Sunday through Friday weekly, students may opt to choose a bundled meal* in lieu of dining in Upper Baldwin. By simply swiping your Albion 1Card to verify your meal plan, you may choose one of four bundles and dine-in or take-out. This can be done once each meal period.

Macho Taco: This Mexican-themed "taco cart" concept will be open Monday through Wednesday during dinner hours (4 p.m.-8 p.m.), and also offer meal exchange bundles* for students on an unlimited meal plan. Again, students may choose this option in lieu of eating in Upper Baldwin during a dinner period.

* A meal plan exchange may be used once per meal period at either the Eat Shop Café OR Macho Taco.

Q: When will the renovation of Lower Baldwin begin?A: March 11, 2013 (during Spring Break). Lower Baldwin will be closed after Spring Break and all of Baldwin Hall will be closed after Commencement in May.

Q: When will the renovation project be complete?A: August 2013. When students arrive for Fall semester, a newly renovated dining hall will await them.

Q: If Lower Baldwin is closed after Spring Break, where will I be able to eat during the final eight weeks of the semester?A: Upper Baldwin will be the primary student dining hall and additional exciting alternatives will be announced soon. The Baldwin kitchen will remain operational throughout the semester, though the dining room will be closed for renovation.

Q: Why is the College doing this?A: The project is designed to give students, staff and guests a distinctive, restaurant-quality dining experience, while also addressing various building infrastructure issues. A newly renovated Lower Baldwin will enhance your experience by:

Providing a new salad bar and food stations that successfully showcases Bon Appetit’s passion for food and culinary culture.

Enhancing the ability for diners to experience more variety and customized menu options, including display cooking with made-to-order options.

Updating the seating areas with new tables, chairs, lighting, and flooring.

Revamping the café entryway to provide an easier, and welcoming, point of entry and better “first impression” for students and guests (including prospective students and their parents).

Replacing the tray return line to allow a truly tray-less dining option.

Creating a better space to break bread with your classmates, faculty and friends.

Improving the facility and equipment in order to save energy and reduce waste.

And more!

Q: Does this renovation project affect me if I am not on a meal plan because I live in a fraternity, apartment, annex, or off-campus?A: Yes! Lower Baldwin meals may be purchased at the door, and block meal plans are also available and cost-effective. A newly renovated dining hall that offers fresh, sustainable, made-from-scratch food will be a destination eating place for the entire campus community

Q: Will this project cost students additional money such as an increase in meal plan rates?A: No. Guest prices and meal plan rates are set annually and will not be affected by the renovation.

Q: Who designed the space?A: Auxiliary Services and Facilities Operations worked with architects, engineers, and designers and sought input from BAMCO and from members of the campus community, including students.

Q: Will the Keller seating area be renovated too?A: No. The Old Keller was renovated in 2008 and continues to be a popular dining area. Why mess with a good thing?

Q: Who do I contact if I have questions about the renovation project?A: Questions can be sent to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
.

From the seating to the food prep areas, Lower Baldwin is getting a soup-to-nuts upgrade starting in March 2013. The wide-ranging enhancements will result in a "distinctive, restaurant-quality destination that's attractive to the entire campus community," according to Todd Tekiele, Albion College director of auxiliary services.

Among the additions and improvements students will see upon returning to campus in August 2013:

A new "Fresh Express" salad bar featuring fresh hot and cold foods

An Italian-style pizza oven

"Today's Grill," featuring made-to-order grill items

"Sandwich Board," featuring hot and cold sandwiches and soups

A more open and inviting atmosphere, with glass walls and upscale finishes on the walls and serving areas

Flexible seating arrangements, with both booths and tables, along with a variety of seating styles

The project also will feature some not-so-visible yet important refinements to campus dining at Albion:

Greater efficiency: Improved design and equipment in food preparation and dishwashing areas will make for a better dining operation overall. It will also better support the cooking-from-scratch philosophy that is a hallmark of the College's dining services partner, Bon Appetit Management Company.

Sustainability: Installation of new kitchen equipment will offer vastly improved energy efficiency and water savings.

Please note that Lower Baldwin will be closed from Spring Break 2013 to August 2013. For the remainder of the Spring 2013 semester, Upper Baldwin as well as additional dining options will be available to the campus community. A plan is in place for the College's summer programs as well. For more information, please see the College's official news release on the project and an accompanying Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page. You may also contact Dining and Hospitality Services at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
.

Please revisit this page during the spring and summer of 2013 to see progress photos, and get ready for an all-new Lower Baldwin ... Bring your appetite!

Meals Plans: You Decide!

For Students in the Residence Halls

Students living in the Residence Halls (Wesley, Whitehouse, Mitchell, Ingham, and Fiske) must choose from four options: either the Traditional or one of the Residential Block Meal Plans. To enroll, contact Residential Life at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
. If you're interested in changing your Meal Plan selection, the deadline is 5:00 p.m. on the tenth class day of each semester.

Traditional Baldwin Meal Plan

Unlimited meals at Baldwin Café only

$75/semester in Dining Dollars

Cost: $5,474 for two semesters

Includes four guest passes

Dining Dollars expire at the end of each semester.

Residential Block Meal Plans

Enjoy carry-out, dine-in and late-night dining at Baldwin Café, The Eat Shop, Read Between the Grinds and The Dub Box. Choose from one of the options below:

15 Block Plan

15 meals (card swipes) per week

$50 in Dining Dollars

Cost: $5,390 for two semesters

18 Block Plan

18 meals (card swipes) per week

$75 in Dining Dollars

Cost: $5,474 for two semesters

21 Block Plan

21 meals (card swipes) per week

$150 in Dining Dollars

Cost: $5,608 for two semesters

Blocks do not carry over at week's end and Dining Dollars expire at the end of each semester.

Card swipes are not to exceed more than three swipes in one day.

Each of the Residential Block Meal Plans includes four guest passes.

For Students Not in the Residence Halls

Students who do not live in the Residence Halls (Fraternity Houses, Apartments, Annexes, and Commuting) are not required to purchase a Meal Plan. However, The Weekender and Commuter Meal Plans were created specifically with these students in mind. To enroll, contact Residential Life at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
. If you're interested in changing your Meal Plan selection, the deadline is 5:00 p.m. on the tenth class day of each semester.

The Weekender Meal Plan

If you're set for the week, but looking to get food at your convenience over the weekend, then consider signing up for The Weekender Meal Plan.

Six swipes per weekend

Valid Friday at 4:00pm through Monday at 12:00am

Cost: $475 per semester

May be used at any dining location on campus.

Fifty swipes per semester.

Swipes do not carry over at week's end.

Those individuals who already have a Traditional or Block Meal Plan are ineligible for the Weekender Meal Plan.

Commuter Block Meal Plans

This plan is for students who are looking for the benefits of a Residential Block Meal Plan, but aren't required to be on a meal plan. The following options are available:

75 Commuter Block Plan

75 meals (card swipes) per semester

Cost: $1,800 for two semesters

100 Commuter Block Plan

100 meals (card swipes) per semester

Cost: $2,300 for two semesters

125 Commuter Block Plan

125 meals (card swipes) per semester

Cost: $2,800 for two semesters

Blocks do not carry over at semester end.

Those individuals who already have a Traditional or Block Meal Plan are ineligible for the Commuter Block Meal Plans.